Charity’s fears over future of Longwools

A NEW conservation programme has been launched to reverse the decline of British Longwool sheep breeds.

Six of the nine native UK Longwool sheep breeds were classed as vulnerable or at risk on the latest Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST) Watchlist.

The charity, which works for the conservation of rare livestock and equines, has now set up the five-year Love a Longwool campaign in a bid to secure the future of these historic breeds.

Chief executive Christopher Price said: “Longwool sheep are striking animals thanks to features such as long fleeces and pricked ears.

“Their grazing encourages biodiversity on farms and their tasty meat and natural wool offer good commercial opportunities for their keepers.

“These breeds made a huge contribution to rural communities when the UK wool trade was booming and it would be devastating if they were to disappear from our landscapes now.”

The charity’s Watchlist, which was published last month, showed that while Greyface Dartmoors and Border Leicesters have seen positive growth, there has been a decline in the numbers of breeds such as Lincoln Longwool and Leicester Longwool. Only 251 Lincoln Longwool breeding females were registered in 2019.

As part of the Love a Longwool programme, RBST will be working with breed societies to increase diversity and make Longwools more resilient. It will work to limit inbreeding through bespoke breeding programmes and promote their uses for fibre, meat and conservation grazing.